Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-08-25

- f'f''''tN hNA NANAltA AllO NluIlA uDAl
who feobly protested, In bucket Of
warm water furnished by the cook-a
diminntiye colorcd man with very
round shoulders, and woody LOCKS plen.
tlfully powdered with grey.
"Therc, little dog," said Polly. as
she rubbed the whimpcring pup with a
bit Of an old sail-cloth, ''you were new
er so clean in your life before. Now,
George MISUNDERSTANDING tho
colorcd individunl-"tnke him and lay
him in the galley, by the fire, til hos
dry"
"'Pears though he ortcr be c'nsidcr-
ably refrigerated by his absolution,
Miss Polly" returned Washington,
with a convulsive giggle, as, receiving
the small bundle, he hurried back to
the galley, which was q sort Of large
'cubby-house,n midway between the
two masts, where the cooking was
done.
Meanwhile, Polly unpinncd her dress,
which she had carefully turned mp in
front during the washing, pulled down
her sleeves and, without rcsuming the
big sun-bonnet, walked TO the rail.
where she stood looking up the wharf
in an expectant attitude.
"She isn't exac'ly stylish-lookin'," /"
said Tad, viewing Miss Polly critically.
from his point of observation, "but she's
got goodish kind of face"
No-Polly was not stylish-looking.
Her checks were as rosy and round as
Baldwin apple, and her small nose
net innocent of freckles. Then, too,
hoe mouth was ratherlargc, though one
forget its size in the kindliness Of her
smile, which, moreover, showed very
perfect set of small, even, white teeth.
Polly had pair Of pleasant dark eyes
that, when she was a bit excited, looked
almost black. and she wac also the pos
SCISSOR of what the novelisss call "a
wealth" Of bronze-tintcd chestpat hair,
with natural crinkle in II, which no
amount of art could have initiated. But
Polly briefly summed up her own per-
sonal appearance in one terse sentence
"red hair, frcckles and a snub-nose;"
and no amount of reasoning could con-
vince her she was not undcniably plain,
or--as she unLcsitatingly affirmed
"awful homely."
al don't believe it's polite to stare at
ladies, even If they can't see you, sud-
denly thought Tad. And vaguely won
dering at his own newly-awakened
sense OF propriety. Tad settled back in
his coy nook and, pulling out his three
papers, began running over the Lost"
columns, but his search was in vain.
Watches had been lost, diamonds
s,olen, gold-headcd canes taken by mis-
take and pet poodles lured from their
homes-for the recovery of each and all
of which rewards were offered. with the
suggestive mo questions asked, aS an
extra inducement for their return.
But there was no reference in any OF
the papers to "a small alligator-skin
sachel. with nickel mountings, left by
mistake in the waiting-room of the
Broad Street depot" or words to that
effect; and Tad began to wonder what
he had best do next. He could not adj
vertise under the head of Pound, " for
five cents was all the money Tad had
in the world; so, finally, he was forced
TO the conclusion that all he could do
was--to use his own unspoken thought
Ito hang on spell longer"
1t was much harder to decide what
he should do with himself The bag
had some one to look out for il, but
there was no one to look out for Tad.
And, for the first time in his short life.
Tad felt a feeling of something like
hOmesickness creep over him.
A familiar voice on the wharf. close
TO the pile of cotton bales, aroused Tad
very suddenly from his reverie.
''lt's that Jones!" he excitcdly cx-
claimed, though under his breath, as
be peered down at the speaker. 1t was
indeed that ingenious gentleman, as,
lifting his hat with winning politeness,
he had accOsted Miss Polly, who was
evidently impressed at such displsy
Of courtesy.
"May ask, miss" said Jones, call
ing up his most agreeable smile.
"whether you have seen shabby-look-
ing boy, carrying a small alligator-skil
sachel, anywhere in this vicinity with
In half an hour?"
''Why, ycs-he was down here awhile
ago. but l guess he's gone uptown
again, replied Polly. wondering what
the stranger wanted of the boy who
called himself Tad Thorne.
Mr.. Jones looked sadly disappointed
at Polly's answer. while Tad. winking
at himself, chuckled silently. What
Mr.. Jones might have said is uncer-
tain, for just then n third party hove in
sight-to use a nautical phrase-who.
Tad felt by sort of instinct. must III
Captain Jethro Flagg. he was ire
mendOusly stout man, with iron-gray
hair and a rim Of white whiskers which
made sort Of halo about his fat.
weather-beaten face. The blue shirt,
pea-iacket, canvas trowsers, oil.skin
hat and heavy sea-boots which no wors
left no doubt as to the nature Of hi,
calling.
"Now, then, kphr'm.' SAID Captain
flagg, in voice like trumpet with a
bad cold, as, turning about. he ad.
dressed a iong-legged youth who
brought up the rear with a heavy
basket, "heaye ahead lively with them
stores, my hearty, or you won't fetch
the schooner till dinner-time." Thus
admonished, Ephraim nuttered some
thing inaudible. and, reaching the edge
Of the wharf in a breathless condition.
set the basket down with bang,
while the Captain greeted Miss Polly